King states ‘three noes’ in US relations

Staff writer, with CNA, WASHINGTON

Tue, Dec 04, 2012 - Page 3

Taiwan’s new representative to the US said on Sunday that the nation would try to maintain “three noes” in its relations with the US —- “no surprises, no time lags and no errors.”

King Pu-tsung (金溥聰), who arrived in Washington to take up his post on Saturday, also said he will “listen, watch and learn more but talk less” for the time being, hoping to familiarize himself with the job as soon as possible.

King said his job was to work in the interests of his country, adding that he will serve all people who support Taiwan’s interests, regardless of their party affiliations.

At three meetings with Taiwanese expatriates, King attempted to create bridges by saying he is connected to both Taiwan’s Hoklo and Hakka ethnic groups.

The 56-year-old King told several pro-independence groups that he was born in Greater Tainan and can speak Hoklo (also known as Taiwanese).

“When I quarrel with people, they can tell I definitely don’t have an accent,” King said in Hoklo.

King also introduced himself as a “Hakka son-in-law” in the Hakka dialect, adding that his wife, who is of Hakka origin, would help him work with Hakka Taiwanese expatriates.

King also said he looked forward to meeting Joseph Wu (吳釗燮), the newly named Democratic Progressive Party representative in Washington, after he arrives in town later this week.